Shell cited for top ethical business practices

Nov 18, 2013

Gas technology leader and sustainable mobility proponent Shell is among seven companies in the Philippines that received highest ratings in ethical business practices. The recognition was given by the Makati Business Club (MBC) in cooperation with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), which established the Integrity Initiative—a private sector-led campaign that aims to strengthen ethical standards in society. It aspires for a level playing field for business, where ethical companies enjoy competitive advantage in both government and private sector transactions.

“The Integrity Initiative rallies the private sector to fight corruption by first keeping its own house in order and strengthening internal control measures,” said Ramon del Rosario, Jr., chairman of the Integrity Initiative and the Makati Business Club.

Aside from Shell, other highly rated companies included American company Convergys Corporation, German multinational company Siemens, and two Filipino-owned companies: Development Bank of the Philippines and GMA Network, Inc. These companies were categorized in the Advanced Level of implementing integrity initiatives, after having undertaken earlier in the year the Integrity Self-Assessment Tool launched by Integrity Initiative.

Subsequently, from June to August 2013, the Integrity Initiative conducted on-site validations of the earlier Integrity Self-Assessments. For Shell companies in the Philippines (SciP), this involved each of its three businesses in the country, namely: Shell Philippines Exploration, B.V. (SPEX), Shell Business Service Center–Manila (SBSC), and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (PSPC).

All seven companies cited by the Integrity Initiative this year “have given clear signals down the line on their initiatives against corruption and unethical practices,” according to the committee, after a thorough assessment and evaluation conducted by trusted audit firms.

Sharing of best practices

“Shell is one with Integrity Initiative in fighting corruption with its strong internal control measures and principled approach to business transactions,” said SciP country chairman Edgar Chua, who was one of the panelists and signatories to the Integrity Initiative during the recent 3rd Integrity Summit organized also by MBC and ECCP.

Shell’s orientation toward integrity is ultimately in line with its commitment toward nation-building, expressed through advocacies covering many aspects of business and society, such as: youth development, environmental management, road safety, driver education, efficient transport, developing new energy sources, smarter products, smarter infrastructure, and many others.

SciP was Integrity Initiative’s co-presenter as it celebrated Integrity Month in September. The Integrity Summit was part of Integrity Month’s celebration, along with an Integrity Nation Now free concert and film festival.

Chua joined representatives of other Integrity Initiative awardees in sharing business principles and best practices in conducting business. The Integrity Summit further gathered the best minds from the government and private sector who presented best practices in their respective institutions and organisations that promote a culture of integrity. It showcased the significant progress of the private sector in establishing a new breed of companies that is driving culture change and is spearheading the campaign to build the Philippines as a nation with integrity. This call for integrity is amidst a backdrop of stronger global pressure for companies to embrace ethical practices.

Shell integrity milestones in the Philippines

Chua’s participation as signatory to the Integrity Initiative is the latest and one of the most important highlights of Shell’s local business integrity milestones. In 2012, Shell reinforced the company’s commitment to anti-bribery and corruption with a pledge of its managing executives in the Philippines. In March 2013, after having attained the Advanced level in the Integrity Self-Assessment Tool, Shell reiterated the company’s commitment to personal and business integrity by launching a company-wide integrity campaign dubbed “I COMMIT. Think. Act. Work. With Integrity.”

The campaign revolved around the role of each Shell staff in upholding the core values of Shell’s General Business Principles—honesty, integrity and respect, and transparency and fairness. Moreover, the same is expected of any supplier engaging in any business transaction with Shell, as well as other stakeholders and customers.

Such initiatives were well-received by the likes of Philippine Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, who was one of the speakers during the Integrity Summit. She cited Shell’s best practices, which “must be emulated by other companies and the business community in the Philippines.”